By Tom GrenchikThe U.S. bishops urge our participation in a nationwide Novena for the Legal Protection of Human Life, each Friday from August 3 through September 28.

Cardinal Timothy Michael Dolan, Archbishop of New York and Chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on Pro-Life Activities, invited all people of good will to join in this campaign of prayer that the change in the U.S. Supreme Court will move our nation closer to the day when every human being is protected in law and welcomed in life.

As part of the USCCB Call to Prayer, participants will receive weekly prayer reminders by text message or email. In addition to the current invitation to fast on Fridays, participants will be encouraged to pray one Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be for this intention and will receive important facts about how Roe is not health care, is bad law, and fails women.

Cardinal Dolan noted: "As soon as Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his retirement, pro-abortion groups began lobbying the U.S. Senate to reject any nominee who does not promise to endorse Roe v. Wade. While the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops does not support or oppose the confirmation of any presidential nominee, we can and should raise grave concerns about a confirmation process which is being grossly distorted by efforts to subject judicial nominees to a litmus test of support for Roe v. Wade. And we must pray."

The Cardinal concluded this special appeal by asking Our Lady of Guadalupe to "intercede for the healing of our nation and our people from decades of abortion on demand." Please join the U.S. bishops in this focused time of prayer, fasting, and education.

Tom Grenchik is Executive Director of the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Learn about the bishops' pro-life activities at www.usccb.org/prolife.